Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They belong to JKR.

Chapter 6

Draco's Dilemma

Draco Malfoy felt something tickle his face. He mumbled, irritated at the intrusion into his sleep.

He felt it once again. His hand swiped at the offending object, and he reluctantly opened his eyes.

He saw what looked like a feather … no it was a quill … close to his face. He looked at the person holding the quill, and his clear blue eyes met the eyes of one of his professors. He awoke fully with a start. What the hell?

"I'm glad to see you are awake, Mr. Malfoy." The teacher stared at the student, watching his reaction. Malfoy sat up. He looked around at his surroundings in confusion. How did he get here, he wondered?

The last thing he remembered was being in detention and putting away the potion supplies. He was in the storeroom when he felt a shock and then everything went black.

Malfoy automatically reached for his wand. It was gone. So, for that matter, were his clothes. He looked down at what he was wearing and looked accusingly at the professor across from him.

The professor just shrugged.

"That is the way I found you."

Anger battled with humiliation as Draco jumped to his feet.

"Where is my wand?" he demanded.

"I have no idea," the teacher replied calmly.

Malfoy turned his back on the bemused instructor as he quickly made his way to the door.

A voice stopped him.

"Mr. Malfoy."

Draco did not turn around but instead waited for the professor to continue.

"I really enjoyed our time together."

Draco shuddered involuntarily as he pulled open the door. He rushed through the hallway toward the safety of his dorm room.

Please don't let anyone see me like this, he silently prayed.

*******

"Ah, Severus, thank you for responding so quickly." Professor Dumbledore ushered the younger man into the room of requirement.

"What is this about, Headmaster?" Snape asked cautiously, looking around the room he had been in only moments before.

"It has come to our attention that one of our professors may be having an intimate relationship with a student." Dumbledore looked grimly at him over his glasses.

"That does not seem possible," Snape replied warily. He was afraid of where this was going.

"I assure you it is, Severus," Professor Dumbledore continued. "I would like you to head the investigation."

Professor Snape hid his relief at the old wizard's words.

"Of course, sir. What evidence do you have so far?"

Dumbledore explained the situation to him.

"We received an anonymous tip about thirty minutes ago. The tipster stated that if we went to the room of requirement, we would find a professor and a student together."

He waved his hand as Snape started to react to this information.

"I know, Severus. We did not automatically believe it, either. We thought it was a prank. We were then informed that we had thirty days to find the culprits or this person would go to the press."

Snape nodded at the headmaster, all the while thinking about the trap that had been laid for him and Hermione.

It didn't make sense. Why leave the port key to aid them in their escape?

"When we reached the room, we found it empty except for the bed." He paused for effect. "Still warm." Then he added. "There were no bed sheets or covers. Doesn't that seem strange?"

Professor Snape strode around the small room.

"Perhaps," he muttered. He avoided looking at the bed. No need to stir up those memories.

"Did you find any other clues?"

"Only this." Dumbledore held out what appeared to be a wizard photograph. As Snape grabbed at it, the older man added. "I put an anti-tampering charm on it so that no one could destroy it."

Snape took the picture, his heart beating rapidly. Did the headmaster already suspect? Was he just toying with him? The worried professor looked down at the picture in his hand.

The figures in the photograph swirled around. All the colors blended into one and then flowed outward again.

It was impossible to make out the shapes.

"Obviously it has been charmed so that only the one taking the picture can make it out," Dumbledore sighed.

Snape noticed he looked very tired.

"Of course, we can break the charm but it will take time."

"How much time do I have?" Snape asked.

Dumbledore looked at him sharply.

"I mean, how long will it take?" he amended smoothly.

"I am not sure. It depends on the strength of the charm." The headmaster walked toward the door.

"I believe someone is playing a game with us, Albus." Snape looked solemnly at him.

"I would agree with you, my boy." He paused, turning around to face the younger man.

"However, if it is true, there will be consequences for those involved. This is something we cannot tolerate. If it got out, parents would be outraged. It could close down the school."

Although he already knew the answer, the Potions master needed to ask the question. "What will happen to them?"

"The professor will be dismissed immediately. The student's circumstances will need to be evaluated. However, expulsion is the most likely outcome." Dumbledore explained. "There is also the possibility of Azkaban for the teacher, depending on the age of the student." The headmaster shook his head sadly. "I never thought I would see this day, Severus."

"We still do not have any proof that anything has occurred." Snape reminded him. "I, for one, will need to see evidence first."

"I agree, Severus" Dumbledore looked down at the picture in his hand. "However, this might just be the proof we seek."

Professor Snape nodded in agreement.

That was his biggest fear.